The first of the two South Island NRL bids to launch has signed on a mystery second investor

The anonymous Christchurch-based individual has put up a million dollars for the construction of the team's academy centre.

The investor will be involved in the development of the academy centre for the bid, with the design and location currently under negotiation with local council.

It comes days after a rival mainland bid under the "Kea" moniker was launched last week by David Moffett.

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